Harvest Baptist Association

What a great day! I attended FBC Bridgeport and man was I blessed. Pastor Craig is faithfully leading this congregation to serve the community in tangible ways.

Today was extra special as the church licensed and commissioned Landon Puckett to the gospel ministry. They are sending him out to be the next pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist church in a neighboring community.

FBC Bridgeport is a sending and supporting church for another church within our association. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF ASSOCIATIONAL MINISTRY AT ITS FINEST!

Please join me in welcoming Pastor Landon to our association.

What a joy to be with First Baptist Church of Boyd this morning. Pastor Brandon Autry is one of our new pastors within the association. This morning he preached a fantastic sermon from Ezra 8 challenging the church during their time of transition.

The church has gone through a time of transition but today there is such a sweet spirit of joy, eagerness, and anticipation to see God moving though the community of Boyd and Wise county.

I’m grateful to have pastor Brandon in our association and their partnership in the gospel.

Join me in praying for this church, their pastor, and the work God has called them to within the community.

Nebraska Vision Mission Trip day 3.

We started out the day at pastor Justin’s farm checking out his livestock and his homestead. Most pastors in this area are bivocational out of necessity. As pastor Justin would say “Farming / ranching supports my preaching habit!”

We then traveled out west to Kimball, NE where we toured a church property that is in the process of being deeded over to pastor Justin’s Church to be used as a replant.

The church needs some significant upkeep and TLC. We are looking at projects like a new roof, new flooring throughout most of the building, painting, plumbing and electrical throughout, replacing ceiling tiles, repairing the baptistry, removal of the old pews, and hauling off nearly 80 years of collected books, supplies, and junk.

Along with rehabbing the physical building the new church plant is strategizing ways to engage the community and begin building meaningful relationships.

If your church is interested in hearing how you might partner with HBA and The Well Church of Sidney please reach out to me. We are looking at organizing mission teams to come to Nebraska over the next 3 years to engage the Panhandle for the sake of the Kingdom. 

Day 2 of our Nebraska panhandle mission trip was a long but good day. We put almost 300 miles in the truck today. We visited with The Well church in Sidney, NE. Pastor Justin planted the church a few years ago. His heart for the people of the Panhandle of Nebraska is truly evident. They specifically choose to plant on the “other side of the tracks” in the VERY under-reached part of town. We looked at several projects they would like to accomplish in the near future.

We then traveled north up through the ranch country to Chadron where they dream of planting a church in the small college town.

On our way back to Sidney we stopped along the historic Oregon trail at Chimney Rock.  The good news is nobody in our party has died of dysentery and our wagon is still fully intact! (Those of you who played the game as a kid will get that reference. 😅)

Tomorrow we will travel over to western community of Kimball where we will look at a church building that needs significant remodeling to be used as a replant.

Join us in praying for the people of these communities and the work being done by this Kingdom focused church. Pray for doors to be opened and for workers to be sent into this harvest field.

Yesterday I was able to attend First Baptist Church Decatur, Texas as they welcomed their new pastor Darrell Tomasek. Exciting days are ahead for Decatur. We are thankful for God’s provision of their new pastor.

Sunday night I attended business meeting at FBC Alvord. It’s exciting to hear how God continues to move during their time of pastoral transition as well.

Tonight was Transition Team training with FBC Alvord. This is a great team committed to the process and willing to do the hard work.

I’m excited for the days ahead for this church.

Tonight I was blessed to be invited to a youth group meeting at FBC Alvord. Tucker brought a great message from 2 Thessalonians 2.

Several parents have stepped up and are serving the youth during this time of transition. Way to be the church.

Last night was an amazing picture of the larger body of Christ coming together to fellowship, celebrate, share a meal, worship, and cast vision for our association at our annual meeting.

Dinner was provided by First Baptist Church Bowie and then we had worship led by men representing four of our churches. 

We heard reports from our partners at Dominion First, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention - SBTC, and Texas Baptists. The night also included passing the of a new budget with several strategic initiatives for this new year, including church planting and intentional missional partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally.

I am genuinely excited for the years to come. Thank you for being a part of this Kingdom partnership and for your financial support of the ministry. To God be all the glory. 

This is a friendly reminder of the Harvest Baptist Association Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 11, from 5:00–7:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Decatur.

Our gathering is open to anyone member of a church within our association. No registration is needed.

Dinner begins at 5 pm (free of charge).

I truly hope to see you there.

Has your church been looking for a creative way to engage families within your community? Have you wrestled with new ways to partner with your local school district, administrators, and teachers?

I would love to invite you to join us for lunch on Thursday October 15th as discuss taking bible-based character education to public school students at no cost to families.

As usual, lunch is provided by the association. We will meet at the association office, eat at noon, and be wrapped up by 1 pm.

This would be a great week to bring your children's, youth, or associate pastor. Heck, bring your spouse and call it a date!

We would love to host you on the 15th.